Please, mature women, have some self-respect. I just want a raise and a promotion.

"Team Leader Lin, does the mayor really have such a plan?" Zhou Chaoshan asked.

He needed to find out whether Lin Zheng or Lin Lanxin had said those words.

If it was Lin Zheng who said it, then he would need to consider it carefully, since the position of deputy head of the coordination group was not something that Lin Zheng, a deputy section chief, could appoint.

But Lin Lanxin's words were different. Her strength and connections were undeniable, and when she said it, it was a certainty.

After the two meetings, he realized that Lin Lanxin was no pushover, and certainly not the incompetent person everyone had described. Although she lacked grassroots experience, her overall approach to handling matters was very clear.

Hearing this, Lin Zheng felt relieved. He knew that Zhou Chaoshan was interested and asked the question simply to find out if the position of deputy team leader could be finalized.

Thinking of this, Lin Zheng deliberately said, "Mayor Zhou, if Mayor Lin didn't have this intention, why would he send me to deliver the message?"

"Just between you and me, the city will strongly support this project."

Does the city provide support?

Zhou Chaoshan's breathing became rapid. With the city's support, this project was a sure-fire political achievement. If he still didn't know how to make a choice at this point, wouldn't all these years of hard work have been for nothing?

Lin Zheng had been observing Zhou Chaoshan's reaction. Seeing the excitement rising on Zhou Chaoshan's face, he knew that Zhou Chaoshan was interested.

The so-called support from the city was nothing but a fabrication he made up.

These are extraordinary times, and he must resort to extraordinary means. Besides, it's not exactly deceiving Zhou Chaoshan. Lin Lanxin has connections in the city, and if these people support Lin Lanxin, isn't that the same as supporting the project?

Coming to his senses, Zhou Chaoshan took out a pack of cigarettes he usually couldn't bear to smoke from his office drawer and stuffed it into Lin Zheng's hand.

"Team Leader Lin, could you please pass on a message to Mayor Lin that I will always support her work?"

"For any project process that falls under my jurisdiction, I'll give it the green light."

Lin Zheng nodded, opened the cigarette box, took out one, and returned the rest to Zhou Chaoshan.

"Mayor Zhou, I will definitely report this to Mayor Lin, but I need to trouble you with a small matter."

He's already given the benefits; now it's time for him to state his conditions.

Zhou Chaoshan took out a cigarette, lit it, took a few puffs, and laughed.

"Team Leader Lin, you're slapping me in the face by saying that. What do you mean by trouble or not? We're all on the same side. Just say what you need to say, and I'll definitely help if I can."

Lin Zheng smiled and didn't expose Zhou Chaoshan's clever words.

If there's no benefit to be gained, it's already a miracle that Zhou Chaoshan doesn't let us down at crucial moments; expecting him to help is simply a pipe dream.

In official circles, anyone can say nice words and platitudes, but whether they actually do them is another matter entirely.

However, Zhou Chaoshan is now on his side, and the voting is related to his political achievements, so Lin Zheng believes that Zhou Chaoshan will definitely not refuse.

"Mayor Zhou, it's not really a big deal. The project's commencement is related to the cadres at Yangxi Village Committee."

You should know the situation at Yangxi Village Committee.

Zhou Chaoshan exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "These cadres are all Tan Huafeng's men. Without Tan Huafeng's approval, it would be difficult to get the project started."

"You mean you want me to side with Mayor Lin and pressure Tan Huafeng to make concessions?"

Lin Zheng waved his hand and said, "Mayor Zhou, things aren't that complicated. We're aiming for a steady and methodical approach; there's no need for a direct confrontation with Tan Huafeng."

"Mayor Lin's idea is to start with the Yangxi Village Committee, replace those inactive officials, and put his own people in their place."

"Mayor Lin will hold an election meeting. You only need to vote for Mayor Lin."

"If we want to break through the current situation, we must take control of it. How can we take control of the situation? Naturally, we must firmly grasp the cadres who hold real power."

After hearing Lin Zheng's words, Zhou Chaoshan agreed without hesitation.

"Team Leader Lin, I have no problem with my side, but what about the remaining votes? What are you planning to do with them?"

Lin Zheng sighed: "I'll figure out a way. In any case, we must fight the first battle beautifully and absolutely cannot lose."

"We need to take over Yangxi Village Committee to make a difference; otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain."

After finishing his conversation with Zhou Chaoshan, Lin Zheng got up and went to Ma Cuilan's place.

Upon seeing Lin Zheng arrive, Ma Cuilan was overjoyed. Without saying a word, she locked the office door from the inside and pulled Lin Zheng to sit down in a chair.

Before Lin Zheng could speak, Ma Cuilan launched her attack.

Lin Zheng's temper was ignited by Ma Cuilan's antics, so he decided to let Ma Cuilan do as she pleased.

The fight ended an hour later.

Ma Cuilan looked at Lin Zheng with a resentful expression and said, "Team Leader Lin, you've kept me waiting for so long, and you're only coming to find me now."

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Mayor Ma, I really have something to do. There's a ton of mess at the Yangxi Village Committee—project funds, roads, resettlement fees, and a whole host of other issues."

"That's why I came to see you as soon as I finished my work."

"Are you planning to start a project in Yangxi Village Committee?" Ma Cuilan asked.

"That location has the best accessibility; it's convenient to get around in any direction. Is there any problem?"

"The plan itself is fine, but have you researched the area? Do you know that Tan Huafeng considers Yangxi Village Committee his backyard?"

"Once you make a move there, Tan Huafeng's affairs will be exposed. He will definitely incite his subordinates to hold you hostage and make it impossible for you to move an inch."

"I know," Lin Zheng nodded and said.

Ma Cuilan said, "Knowing that, why did you still choose Yangxi Village Committee as the center?"

Lin Zheng smiled wryly and said, "This is the only way I can do it. If I went elsewhere, the cost would at least double. The funds from above are limited, and they can't afford to send any more money down the drain."

If he had other options, he wouldn't want to confront Tan Huafeng so soon, but reality forced him to do so.

Moreover, with Lin Lanxin fully supporting him now, it's not impossible for her to suppress Tan Huafeng.

"What you're doing is too risky. You could easily end up inside," Ma Cuilan said.

Lin Zheng said, "Tan Huafeng has already made two moves. Even if I don't center my efforts on Yangxi Village Committee, he won't let me off the hook."

"So how do you plan to fight Tan Huafeng?" Ma Cuilan asked the key question.

"I want to start from the grassroots level and gradually remove the cadres he has placed there, so that I can take their place step by step."

"As long as we control Yangxi Village Committee, everything will be stable."

Hearing Lin Zheng's words, Ma Cuilan shook her head.

"This is probably difficult. Among the votes cast, including Mayor Lin, apart from my two votes and Mayor Lin's, the rest are basically in favor of Tan Huafeng. Even if they don't support him, they will choose to wait and see and won't easily join the fray."

"If you want their support, who would do something so thankless and offensive without offering enough incentive?"

Lin Zheng understood Ma Cuilan's words, but they also reminded him that he still had a weakness he hadn't used.